TRIO SENT TO GAOL

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19584, 16 March 1938, Page 5

TRIO SENT TO GAOL

SECRETS ACT CHARGES JUDGE PRAISES MISS “X” LQNDON, March 14. When the trial of Percy Glading. aged 45, Albert Williams, aged 39, George Whomack, and Walter Munday, all charged under the Official Secrets \ct, was resumed at the Old Bailey, Munday pleaded not guilty. The Crown offered no evidence, and Munday was discharged. Glading, Williams and Whomack pleaded guilty. Glading and Whomack were charged with obtaining a plan of a naval gun. Glading and Williams were charged with obtaining part of afi anti-tank mine pistol, and plans of an anti-sub-marine bomb fuse, and other plans. Glading was charged with obtaining information in a book relating to explosives.

The Attorney-General, Sir Donald Somervell, in outlining the case, said that the information obtained might be useful to a potential enemy. Hr described Glading’s scheme to obtair secret documents from the Woolwicl A -'snal, ar.d have them photographer and returned, and he told how the criminal purpose was revealed by Mis “X,” who took a flat at Glading’s re quest, where the operations were conducted.

Counsel for the defence argued tha what the defendants had done was al most ludicrously unimportant. Glading was sentenced to penal ser vitude for six years, Williams to fou. years, and Whomack to three years.

Mr. Justice Hawke said that he wa satisfied that Glading was animate: solely by the vulgar motive of obtaining money. Miss “X” had don great service to her country, and mu: be possessed of extraordinary courage